Virginia Chavez, the owner of Sabor and Soul Studio, is now living her dream as the owner of a dance studio on Jefferson Boulevard in Jefferson Park, CA. Chavez had a humble childhood. Her mother was a waitress and her father refurbished antique furniture. Coming from a family with two working parents and ongoing financial struggles, Chavez never dreamed she would own her own dance studio. But as she got older, she knew that she wanted to give back to the neighborhood where she grew up by bringing dance to its residents.
Going on its fourth anniversary, Chavez is now proud to say that she owns a popular studio in the neighborhood. Sabor and Soul has nine instructors, all of whom are professionally trained. Most of the instructors are members of various dance groups in Los Angeles and teach at professional studios.
Many of the instructors teach at Sabor and Soul on the side as a way of giving back. For example, Catrice Jackson, a professionally trained dancer and one of the studio's instructors, does not dance to make money. Jackson has a busy schedule with children and a full time job as a school counselor. She spends the little free time she has teaching at the studio based solely on her love for dance and desire to share that passion with others.
Sabor and Soul holds classes Monday's through Friday's. For Chavez, a typical day consists of three dance classes at the studio: a morning class and two evening classes. In the morning, she will open the studio and clean up after the first class. She then goes to St. Vincent's School where she teaches an after school dance program. At 5:30 p.m. each evening, she returns to the studio to clean once more before the two evening classes. "Having the flexible hours was really important for me in opening the studio," said Chavez. "I was so used to being a stay at home mom, so I don't think I would have gone through with all this if I didn't think I'd have plenty of time with my kids."
But ultimately, it was her children who inspired her to actually open the studio. A class at Sabor and Soul only costs $3 or $35 for unlimited classes for the month. "I had to stay true to the area I'm in. People here don't have a lot of money," said Chavez. The studio is by no means profitable. But for Chavez, the intention was not to reap a significant profit but to extend her love for dance to the rest of the community. Additionally, Chavez wanted to show her kids that they should pursue whatever their dreams are, whether or not they yield significant financial rewards.
Luckily for Chavez, her uncle owns the building that houses the studio. "Without him this would be impossible," said Chavez. The money she makes from the studio's dancers pays for the instructors.
Along with being her dream, the studio has made Chavez's family much closer. While they've always been tightknit, Sabor and Soul has served as a "group project," as Chavez calls it. Chavez's sister Jen Reyes goes to the studio each night with Chavez to keep her company and keep things clean. The studio is also big enough for Chavez's father, Carlos Reyes, to have a workshop in the back where he can build furniture and continue his antique refurbishing business.
Right now, Chavez says she is content with how the studio is doing. "Our classes are always full and we have a constant flow of new dancers," Chavez said proudly. However, with its popularity also comes a lack of space. While some nights are busier than others, Chavez hopes to expand the studio one day to continue to meet the demand of the community.
But Chavez's dreams for the studio go beyond expanding its physical space. As it is already "unprofitable," as Chavez put it, she one day hopes to turn it into a real nonprofit. "I’ve never been in this for the money. It really is a way for me to try to better the neighborhood," Chavez said. For Chavez, as long as members of the community are enjoying it, she feels highly rewarded.